Thought a new thread would be handy as things on the cup game are getting mixed in with the last Hull game and the Clubb debate.

Manfredi the only player who will be back in the 21 man squad. I’m surprised Tommy isn’t back. I thought that injury may be a bit of a bluff.

As for the team, I think I’d pick Manfredi tbh in the only change to the 17 from last week. It’s a big game and he’ll be blowing but the more natural outside backs we have the better for me and Isa will be able to move in to the pack to cover the loss (don’t laugh) of Clubb.

I’d go-

Hardaker
Manfredi Bibby Farrell French
Hastings Smith
Singleton Powell Partington
Isa Smithies Bateman

Subs
Havard Bullock Byrne Shorrocks

Looking like awful weather on Saturday, getting off our line and kicking game going to be vital, something we failed miserably at last season against Leeds.

I fear this has a loss written all over it

Hope we learn a lesson from that game. I could be wrong but I don’t think Hull have the big middle forwards like Prior, Oledzki and Seumanufagai to do that to us. They do have Sao and Satae who can be a handful but I don’t think they’ll keep us pinned totally in our end like Leeds did, even if the weather is poor. We struggled in that game with those three starting and Leeming darting out of dummy half. We had Havard and Partington starting at prop and just one prop on the bench in Bullock (who had been an injury doubt). Hull have every chance in the game but I don’t see us being dismantled like that again.

Didn't Havard get injured early in that game and didn't play again all season? That really left us short of props for the rest of the campaign.

We are going into this game with a lightweight but mobile pack and a rookie full back but the good news is both Reynolds and Mau are likely to play which will add a lot more to our attack
Pity about the weather as we also have not played well in the rain and a heavy pitch

The packs are quite similar in size which probably a positive for both teams. I hope we don’t see the negative parts of the game from last week again but it’s been set up to be one hell of a battle.

It should be a very good game.

Should be a cracking game, as there wasn't much between the two sides last week.

Agreed, It has a Salford in the semi final playoffs 2019 feeling about it.

They’ll be majorly boosted by Mau and Renoylds returning and will be extra motivated after the Clubb drama.

Lucky for us Connor is out.

I get the total opposite feeling from around that Salford tie. It’s not to say we’ll win but I think our attitude looks brilliant at the minute and I think the team are really focussed on the Challenge Cup.

If Hull beat us on Saturday they’ll be made to go to the depths of their energy reserves to earn it. I think we’ll see a similar intensity in our defence to the Grand Final.

Yeah I think we've got problems in this one. Heavy rain does not suit this team at all and you know Hull will be wanting revenge for a variety of reasons. Im sure we won't put in a performance like the Leeds one but not got a good feeling about it.

On a side note I also think Huddersfield could go really close against St Helens, if not beat them.

I was thinking the same thing myself about Huddersfield. Probably wishful thinking but it wouldn’t totally surprise me. They beat Saints away in the CC quite a few years and another repeat surprise would do for me.

Again I agree with you re ourselves against Hull. I’m really looking forward to the game but fear we may just fall short. It’s the first time in years that I’ve looked forward to a CC tie and I must admit I quite like the feeling. I’m pretty confident that both sides will put on a good show even though both teams will have some key players missing.
I think over and above a great defensive effort we will need Hastings at his very best if we are to sneak it.